A FORMER pupil of William Stockton Primary in Ellesmere Port has criticised its recent demolition.

Vivienne McKay believes the real reason for its closure was not due to it being structurally unsound as she once thought, but because it no longer met the criteria for the amount of playing fields - an allegation denied by the county council.

Ms McKay said: 'The school has always used the playing fields of West Cheshire College, but its extension has meant the area has been reduced and the school no longer met the criteria for playing fields.

'So the county council decided to build a one-storey school on what used to be the park that backs on to Princes Road and Flatt Lane.

'Why could they have not used the park as playing fields for the school?

Ms McKay is also critical of the way the new building encroaches on nearby property.

She said: 'When people bought their properties around the edge of the park, that was the main reason for buying them - the park, not such close proximity to the school.'

But a county council spokesman said: 'The suggestion the school does not meet regulations for playing fields is incorrect. The accommodation is inadequate and is being replaced by a new building.

'Use was made of both college land and the open space to meet outdoor recreation needs.

'When the decision was taken to rebuild the opportunity arose to consider the whole of the school site to provide new playing fields. The sites of the new school and playing fields were identified on this basis.

'The new building meets all planning regulations in terms of its proximity to private properties.'